Penhold's building permit totals are increasing at an enviable rate that is now exceeding 20 per cent annually.
ìThe year 2013 was an extremely busy year for Penhold, with 169 permits issued for a total of $19,205,000,î said Tricia Willis, the town's planning and development officer, of the year-end building permit totals for the community. ìFrom all indications, Penhold is poised for major development in 2014.î
Willis said building permits values in 2012 totalled $27,500,000 based on 144 builds. But that figure includes $12 million for the new school beside the multiplex. Currently, 81 of the 144 building permits are for houses being built in the Hawkridge development, which is nearing completion.
ìWe issued 84 new housing permits in 2013, two industrial expansions and three commercial permits for what seems to be a year of momentum building,î added Willis. ìIf we look at a percentage increase, that works out to 24 per cent, in 2013 over 2012.î
She noted that two developments are coming on board for 2014.
ìMelcor Developments has indicated that they will be beginning their development north of the multiplex, and Laebon Homes is ready to begin work on the Palisades subdivision in the south end of Penhold,î said Willis. ìWe are not sure how many permits that will generate, but we are sure of one thing. The increase will be substantial.î
Melcor and Laebon will build manufactured homes and single-family homes in their respective projects. The first phase of Palisades is estimated to include 47 homes, with environmental studies being done for Phase 2 while 200-plus manufactured homes will be built in the Melcor development alongside single-family dwellings.
ìThis will be an extremely busy year for my department. While we appreciate the growth, planning for increases of this magnitude is difficult,î said Willis. ìThis is a good situation to be in.î
